Note from Superintendent Swanson: March 13

Dear Westminster Community,

This is my last What’s Up WPS message to you before our staff and students leave for Spring Break the week of March 25. I hope you all have a happy and safe vacation.

I also want to take this opportunity to remind everyone that when students return to the classroom, we will begin the Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS) tests in our elementary and middle schools along with the PSAT and SAT tests at the high school level.

It's important that students take these tests seriously and perform at the highest level possible. Students need to be well-rested and focused on their school work when they arrive at school.

As you probably know, we have long challenged many aspects of how the Colorado Department of Education uses test results to evaluate the performance of schools and school districts. We believe there are significant flaws in the accountability system, especially in how it aligns with a Competency Based System (CBS).

That concern aside, we still believe the tests are useful in identifying a student’s strengths and areas where they might need additional help. As always, our goal is to make sure that students are fully competent and ready for the day after graduation.

It’s also important to note that the reputation of a school or district can be enhanced by strong test results. Just last week, I joined the principals of Metz Elementary and Colorado STEM Academy at a ceremony where their schools received the Governor's Distinguished Improvement Award.

I’m hoping to accompany even more principals to the awards ceremony next year. If everyone takes this opportunity to shine and show what they can do this spring, I’m confident that will be the case.